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May 2015 Moms
eckozlowski
member
Positive Induction Experience STM
eckozlowski
member
Hey May Mamas! We just had our little one yesterday via an elective induction at 39 weeks, and it was a super positive experience! I just thought I would hop on here and share how it went for us, because I know that in the weeks leading up to the big day, my Google searches on the topic were getting excessive and I was really anxious about the whole thing. Obviously, everyone's experience is different, but in case anyone out there is wondering, here's how ours went:
We elected to induce because it was my second baby and we had been 3cm dilated and 60% effaced for two weeks already, and he had been measuring big for most of my pregnancy. Our doctor said these were favorable conditions to induce if we wanted to, so that's the plan we made!
We went in to the hospital for the induction at 7AM. It felt weirdly calm compared to labor and delivery with my first! Like I was going shopping or to the dentist, not getting ready to birth a human 
By the time we were checked in and settled, it was a little after 9AM. The doctor checked me, and then we started the Pitocin. Our nurses said that there are other measures they take when your cervix isn't soft enough, but I didn't need to worry about that since conditions were what they were already. The Pitocin started off slow, and contractions were uncomfortable but not unpleasant-- like Braxton Hicks. They upped the dosage gradually throughout the morning, and contractions started to get stronger and closer together but were still manageable. The doctor checked me around lunchtime, and said baby was moving down and everything was looking good, so they increased the Pitocin again.
By the time we were checked in and settled, it was a little after 9AM. The doctor checked me, and then we started the Pitocin. Our nurses said that there are other measures they take when your cervix isn't soft enough, but I didn't need to worry about that since conditions were what they were already. The Pitocin started off slow, and contractions were uncomfortable but not unpleasant-- like Braxton Hicks. They upped the dosage gradually throughout the morning, and contractions started to get stronger and closer together but were still manageable. The doctor checked me around lunchtime, and said baby was moving down and everything was looking good, so they increased the Pitocin again.In the afternoon, the contractions were getting harder to manage. I was told early in the day that I could have an epidural as soon as my contractions were in a regular pattern, but I didn't want to ask for it too soon because a) I wanted to try to manage my pain on my own as long as possible (lots of bouncing on a birthing ball and deep breathing), and b) the epidural could slow my progress if it wasn't consistent enough yet. The anesthesiologist came in around 5 to give me the epidural, and it was perfect timing! I really only had about two hours of contractions that were hard to manage, so I can't complain After that, I was able to relax and let my body to the work! I'm not sure how many cm I was at this point, because the doctor was finishing a c-section and didn't stop by to check me before the epidural was given.
After that, I was able to relax and let my body to the work! I'm not sure how many cm I was at this point, because the doctor was finishing a c-section and didn't stop by to check me before the epidural was given.At around 7, I started feeling some of each contraction on my right side (because I had been laying on my left for a while). The nurses told me to switch to laying on my right side, which I did, but I could still feel like a dull sensation with each contraction and lots of pressure there. I was hesitant to call them back into our room because I didn't want to bug them if it was nothing, but I'm glad I did! The nurse went to check me at 7:30 and had hardly touched me before saying DON'T PUSH! lol his head was right there. The whole team came in then to get ready for baby, and he was here after literally five minutes of pushing. Five minutes! It is not lost on me how ridiculously awesome this whole thing was. Baby is 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21 1/4 inches long, and everyone is happy and healthy (but maybe a little sleepy!).
I should note that the delivery of my first was similar in the end-- I had a ridiculously long labor with him, but as soon as I got the epidural, my body went from 5 to 10 cm in a half hour and I only pushed for 15 minutes. I know that epidurals aren't for everyone, but they're exactly what my body needed to get to the finish line and I can't imagine doing it any other way!
To all the mamas out there thinking about or preparing for an induction, I obviously can't promise that yours will go as smoothly, but I hope this post makes you feel a little more at ease about it! I was really nervous about how my body would react to the Pitocin, but it wasn't all that different from laboring on my own with my first (except it was like the down and dirty SHORT version this time 
). Good luck to all of you, regardless of how your little ones are coming into the world! You're going to do GREAT!!!
). Good luck to all of you, regardless of how your little ones are coming into the world! You're going to do GREAT!!!
Re: Positive Induction Experience STM
One benefit was I don't have nearly as much postpartum bleeding because they kept the pitocin going for a little bit after I pushed the baby out, helping my uterus to contract down.